Greetings birders -
The flock of up to 20 White-winged Crossbills, predominately males, is still frequenting ROSE HILL BURIAL PARK in Fairlawn (Montrose), Summit County, since Tuesday the 20th through today Friday, January 23rd. This cemetery is immediately west of Summit Mall, entrance on Route 18. This is west of Akron by 10-15 minutes. The birds are prefering the abundant cone crop of the numerous Colorado Blue Spruces on the grounds. There are a few hemlocks, Douglas Firs, larch, and many other conifers in the cemetery as well.
Today the 23rd, between 20 and down to 4 White-winged Crossbills were still being seen at this site throughout the morning/afternoon. Clearly, the birds are active and will disperse at different times throughout the day.
ROSE HILL BURIAL PARK Address: 3653 West Market Street; Fairlawn OH 44333. West of Summit Mall where Smith Road intersects West Market Street. Link with map:http://yellowpages.ohio.com/Rose+Hill+Burial+Park+--26+Mausoleum.9.7928325p.home.html
CEMETERY SECTIONS TO CHECKAlthough there are many cone-bearing conifers throughout the burial park, including a handful of nice hemlocks relatively near the entrance, the best sections to check are in the most northern (the "back" or "rear" part of the grounds) sections: Sections 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. I first located the birds on Tuesday in Section 18 and they have also been seen close by in the above listed sections still on Friday the 23rd. This cemetery is easy to get around in, and the sections are relatively small. *Very little walking is required*. I have repeatedly located the birds from within the car then parked and walked only a few dozen to a hundred feet along the road to get closer, stunning views. The birds are feeding up HIGH in the spruces. HOW TO LOCATEBe familiar with white-winged crossbill calls (a low, soft, rapid chet-chet-chet-chetchet). It may take repeated passes through the cemetery before you locate the flock. SCAN the tops of the blue spruces for movement. Flocks will often be active and will fly about for short spurts, but will also remain atop the spruces for upwards of 15 minutes before moving on to the next chosen treetop.
SEIBERLING NATUREREALMOnly a few minutes down the road from Rose Hill Burial Park - from Route 18 east take Smith Road east - Seiberling NatureRealm (Summit County Metroparks) has been hosting upwards of 40 White-winged Crossbills in the parking lot area and immediately around the nature center. Between "a handful" and 25 to 30 birds were seen today, Friday the 23rd, especially around the nature center, in a set of Colorado Blue Spruce and Douglas Firs - sometimes only 6 ft off the ground. STUNNING VIEWS and excellent photography opportunities have been had here. Major hats off to Dave Stover for keeping tabs on these birds and doing an exceptional job of kindly guiding dozens of birders to the park's crossbill up-to-the-minute whereabouts. Also in the park - Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Siskin, and Hermit Thrush. The White-eyed Vireo that D. Stover found here earlier in the winter has NOT been since since "the deep freeze".
NatureRealm INFO/WEBLINK:
http://www.summitmetroparks.org/ParksAndTrails/FASeiberlingNatureRealm.aspx
An absolutely glorious bird, seeing White-winged Crossbills here in our state NEVER gets old. The greater Cuyahoga Valley region is now THICK with them. Males and the "duller" females are both fantastic creatures and completely unique in plumage and behavior. It continues to be an true joy to host this stunning finch in our state.
Get out to see them before the very, very, very rare and special opportunity ends.
best of birding -
jen
Jen Brumfield
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Sharon Center, OH
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